Jharsuguda police arrest trio for extorting truck drivers at gunpoint

Jharsuguda: Police arrested three persons on Tuesday night who were allegedly threatening and extorting money from truck drivers and hotel owners at gunpoint near Panchpada Chowk on SH-10 here.The accused were identified as Munnu Pandey, 25, and Abhinandan Pandey, 19, of Chochakpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Kamlesh Sha, 20, of Jharsuguda.Police officers said that during an evening patrol, a tip-off was received about miscreants creating panic near a dhaba at Panchpada Chowk. The trio were brandishing pistols and extorting money from truckers passing through the area. Acting swiftly, the police team, along with two independent witnesses, rushed to the spot and apprehended them.Jharsuguda SP, G Reddy Raghavendra, said, “The gang had been intimidating drivers and obstructing trucks to demand ‘dadabati’ (extortion money). A country-made pistol, three live rounds, two mobile phones, a motorcycle without a number plate, and Rs 4,680 in cash were seized from their possession.”He added that the crackdown is part of the ongoing Operation Netra to curb criminal activities. “Strict action will continue against those indulging in such crimes,” the SP said.The accused were booked under sections 296, 132, 351(3) and 308(4) of the BNS along with provisions of the Arms Act.